Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-03
His H0nOr's Birthday.

Inc years come ana 60, ana each re-
turning End of February brings to per-
haps halt a million people another
birthday. Many great men have been
born on this day and many great cele-
brations have taken place, but the fact
prominent in the public mind to-day is
thatit is the birthdsyof His Honor. Z. NJ.
Lowry, our respected fellow townsman
and mayor; that his birthday has just
been famously celebrated 1t is also
grounding day. On this day it is said
that the ominons ground hog comes out
OF his hole to look for his shadow.
When the mayor returned home last
evening and to his amazement and sur
prise found sixteen gentlemen waiting
to receive him with open arms, he
doubtless thought it was a aground
hog CASE though he politely restrained
the expression of the thought and made
the best of the situation. 1t is reported
that the designations were prolonged to
so late an hour, that His Honor with diff
fculty casts shadow himself to-day.
Those who participated in the celebra-
ton last evening wish that the auspic-
ious day came several times year and
that they were compelled to celebrate
it in just such way each time. If they
had their way Mr.. Lowry would soon
be venerable NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. old
with the triple speed of time, and dys-
peptic with too much feasting. Last
year the ladies we're permitted to share
the festivities, this year they were ex-
cluded but well, (not to be ungallsnD
the. pleasure was not entirely spoiled.
The guests were invited for six o'clock,
and at the appointed time, with the ex-
ception of Mr.. Orr, they were on hand
to receive their host. When Mr.. Lowry
arrived, after various delays which he
could hardly understand, though Mr..
Orr who accompanied him did, he was
completely taken aback. Supper was
soon announced and sixteen gentle
men sat down to Il delicious repast
Two tables were spread for the accomo-
dstion of the guests, dainty in snowy
linen. delicate china and fragrant
flowers. At each plate lay boutoniere
and a beautiful hsnd-painted menu
card. The menu was painted in old
text on large thick card. and in the
center of the card was tied q broad
satin ribbon. of cardinal, cream, blue
or pink, entirely covering the menu,
and bearing in gilt letters the name OF
the guest. On the back of the card was
the monogram Z. M. l.. and the dates
1857 1887. The party invited COM
prised two Judges, two lawyers, two
doctors. two bankers, one clergyman,
one merchant, one ex-county official, >
postmaster, farmer, an architect,
painter. and an editor. Questions,
learned and deep, as beftted the august
assembly. were sagely discussed along
with the delicious viands. After
the supper was over Judge Clementson
in behalf of the grateful guests, presented
TO Mr.. Lowry mammoth cotton UNI
brella on which was printed the words
Presented to Hon. Ed NJ. Lowry by
his friends,' with the names of the
generous donors on the panels of the
umbrella. and the picture of a ground
hog. done DIV the artistic Esculspius DR..
A. Ii. Barber. The remarks of Judge
Clementson in presenting the beautiful
gift were very appropriate and touched
our stern mayor to that degree that he
was completely overcome by them and
by the magnitude of the gift.
To restore his equilibrium. the
Judge Immediately drew forth
handsome silk umbrella and
presented that also. for use on the less
conspicuous OCCASION Mr.. Lowry res
ponded in few feeling words and the
party withdrew 10 the parlors. The
evening was spent in whist playing and
ended joyfully in chorus of negro
melodies